Pharmacy First could be “partly” behind the decline in NHS 111 calls, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said in its annual State of Care report.
The report, published on October 23, said an ongoing decrease in calls “could be linked partly” to the “introduction of the national NHS Pharmacy First service in January 2024”.
It added that increased use of NHS 111 online and the rollout of online booking for GP appointments in 2025 could also be linked to the decline.
Read more: ‘A better Britain’: PM hails five new Pharmacy First conditions
In the CQC’s previous report, the regulator reported that the number of NHS 111 calls had “dropped dramatically”.
“In 2025/26, the use of the NHS 111 call service has continued to decrease but at a slower rate, dropping by 85,000 calls to less than 19.9 million” it said.
It added that the number of consultations provided by the Pharmacy First service has “continued to increase” over the last year, with over 3.4 million consultations in 2025/26.
Read more: Community pharmacy creates £31.6bn of social value, says CPE
The report also mentioned pharmacists’ role in severe mental illness care.
It outlined the six elements of the “core” annual severe mental illness physical health check - alcohol consumption status, blood glucose test, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol test and smoking status - and said “a range of health professionals”, including pharmacists, can deliver the checks and support for follow-up interventions.
Read more: Revealed: GP referrals to Pharmacy First down by quarter in a year
It comes after NHS England last month confirmed the five new conditions that will be added to Pharmacy First from autumn.
And it follows analysis published by Community Pharmacy England last week showing that community pharmacies in England generate £31.6bn of social value.
